Beverly Leads the Way for O.R. Nurses

Beverly Hospital has partnered with Rio Hondo College to offer a first of its kind Peri-Operative Course for practicing RNs. The course was created by Belal Saadeh, PhD., RN, instructor for the course and Beverly Hospital Clinical Coordinator for Surgery. Dr. Saadeh explains that the course is part of the effort by healthcare services leadership to counter a nationwide shortage of O.R. nurses. According to Dr. Saadeh, the shortage is due in part to a baby-boomer phenomena. On one hand, many boomers are retiring and thereby decreasing the number of skilled OR nurses; and on the other hand, the large population of baby-boomers is also driving demand for surgical services.

Funding for this project has come through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to promote the advancement of California’s health care workforce. This course is a pilot that will help create a standardized training program, which will then be offered at otherpublic schools.About this first cohort of students, Dr. Saadeh shares that they are a “highly motivated & passionate” group of nurses. Three of the 20 students are Beverly employees.

He adds that their “great interest in this area makes it a great learning environment.” He adds with pride that this course will allow nurses to embark on a new journey where “they will build on their experience and aquire new skills by facing new challenges.” For future class information, contact Gayle Cantrall in the Surgical Services Department.